BARRY West End travelled to Ebbw Vale on Sunday, May 24, with gloomy conditions overhead, West End skipper Henry Dawson won the toss and elected to bowl first.

The West End opened up the bowling with Tom Miller and Dafydd Frost. Ebbw Vale’s opening batsman were N Pepper Jnr and T Roberts.

Both Miller and Dafydd Frost bowled well, with the former unlucky not to pick up a wicket early on. It was indeed Frost who found the first breakthrough, a ball hitting the top off to dismiss N Pepper Jnr for seven.

M Brooks strode in at number three for Ebbw Vale. Brooks immediately attacking both bowlers, with a lack of communication apparent in the early stages of Ebbw Vale’s innings, Brooks was run out by Rhys Hatton for five.

Ebbw Vale were 34-2 after 10 overs. M Morgan was number four for Ebbw Vale. Rhys Hatton replaced Dafydd Frost at the rugby ground end.

Ebbw Vale picked up the run rate slightly after some poor bowling from Hatton. Neil Holmes replaced Tom Miller at the pavilion end. M Morgan was dismissed by Holmes, after Steve Oram took a great catch over his shoulder at mid-wicket. Morgan departed for seven.

J Powell arrived as number five for Ebbw Vale. Richard Eastman replaced Hatton at the rugby ground end. Eastman picked up the next wicket when he bowled Powell for two.

S Jones was Roberts next partner, Roberts reaching his 50 shortly after. However, Eastman picked up a second wicket when he dismissed Roberts for 50, LBW. Ebbw Vale reached 76-5 after 24 overs.

Nye Lane replaced Holmes at the pavilion end, whilst Glan Williams replaced Eastman at the rugby ground end. Lane picked up the first wicket when S Jones was caught at mid-wicket by Steve Oram. Jones departed for 10.

Both Lane and Williams bowled well to restrict the scoring of the batsman. C Jones and N Pepper Snr were now at the crease for Ebbw Vale.

Lane had C Jones caught behind by Henry Dawson for 11. Tommy Miller caught N Pepper Snr at mid on to give Lane his third wicket of the match.

R Hares batted at number 10 for Ebbw Vale and was bowled second ball by Lane. Lane achieved a five wicket haul when Neil Holmes held on to a catch at extra cover to dismiss L King for five. J White remained not out on four. Ebbw Vale finished 127 all out after 39, one overs.

After a superb tea and a great improvement in conditions, the West End opened up their innings with Henry Dawson and Rhys Howell.

After being dropped on nought, Dawson freed his arms and accumulated runs quickly. Both batsman were not troubled by the Ebbw Vale bowlers of Powell and Pepper Snr.

The West End reached 50-0 after 11 overs. Dawson retired not out soon after, finishing on 51. Steve Oram joined the watchful Howell. R Hares and J White were the next pair to bowl for Ebbw Vale, White bowled particularly well, keeping both Howell and Oram in check.

At the drinks interval, Howell retired not out on 18. M Williams joined Oram at the crease.

The pace of scoring decreased to a steady rate with both batsman picking off singles. T Roberts found the only breakthrough for Ebbw Vale when M Williams was bowled for 19. Pat Cowley joined Oram as number five. The West End reached the target of 128 for the loss of one wicket. Oram finishing 32 and Cowley 0.

Ebbw Vale 127 all out (T Roberts 50, C Jones 11, A Lane 5-7, R Eastman 2-13)

Barry West End 128-1 (H Dawson 51, S Oram 32, T Roberts 1-8, J White 0-7)